Has stereotypical (racist?) associatons of drinking and/or fighting (hardly unique to Ireland, see Chav). These associations arose from anti-Irish bigotry in 19th century England and can be seen perpetuated in Temple Bar in Dublin any night of the week. Often by tourists. Some misguided Irish people also like to perpetuate this myth.

Positive associations include having a highly educated workforce (especially in IT industry), massive artistic output far out of proportion to the population (in music, literature, visual arts, etc.), and a population of warm fun-loving people. That last one is only partly true.

How do the Irish find time to produce all that music and literature with all the drinking and fighting?